Telecommunications law refers to a body of legislation that governs the use and misuse of telephones, the internet, and other communicative media. The main government organization responsible for administering telecommunication law is the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). 

The FCC oversees the licensing and regulation of telecommunications service providers. Service providers must apply for licensing through the FCC. During the licensing process, the FCC will determine how to classify a telecommunication service provider and what regulations will be relevant. Businesses that do business with the FCC must register through the COmmission REgistration System (CORES) and receive an FCC Registration Number.

Telecommunication law has gone back and forth on the issue of net neutrality depending on the person in charge of the FCC. Former FCC chairman Ajit Pai repealed net neutrality, releasing internet service providers from their obligation to treat all web sites equally.

In general, telecommunication law does not add new protections to consumer data and privacy. Most protected information is still protected and most unprotected information is still unprotected. For example, HIPAA controls the use and transmission of  patient information both offline and on. Telecommunications law does not substantially alter HIPAA so patient information is in general still protected, though patients can opt in to having their data shared and sometimes non-identifying information can be shared in spite of HIPAA.

There are some who say telecommunication companies are not regulated enough in regards to antitrust and anti-monopoly practices. While no internet service provider has a true monopoly, in that there are still multiple ISPs, they do often have local or regional monopolies in which large ISPs will mutually agree not to operate in a region where another ISP is operating. This does not necessarily diverge from the letter of antitrust laws although many consumers have voiced complaints that these practices are still unfair and violate the spirit of these laws.